Method For Activating an Electronic Self Adhesive Bandage

ABSTRACT

A method of activating an electronic self adhesive bandage whereby the electronic circuitry in the bandage is activated when the bandage is peeled away from its backing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/426,061 filed 23 Jun.2006

DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 Shows side cutout view of self adhesive bandage and peel awaybacking.

FIG. 2 Shows front view of self adhesive bandage.

FIG. 3 Shows front view of peel away backing.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Peel Away Backing-   11 Self Adhesive Bandage-   12 Trigger Material-   13 Circuit Activation Sensor/Switch-   14 Electronic Circuit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 2 AND 3

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the selfadhesive bandage. It includes the bandage part 11 made from a polymerwith physical properties similar to that used in conventional selfadhesive bandages. One of the sides of the bandage would have theadhesive on it and would be adhered to the backing shown in FIG. 3.

The bandage contains an embedded electronic circuit 14 which may bepowered by an internal battery integral to this said circuit.

The electronic circuit 14 may be a sanitizing circuit such as the UV LEDcircuit in cross referenced related application Ser. No. 11/426,061. Orit may be another type of electronic circuit or device such as a woundmonitoring device or a medicine activating device.

The circuit 14 is intended to be activated by an electronic sensor orswitch 13. This can be a reed switch, a capacitive sensor, a contactswitch, a photonic sensor, or some other type of sensor or switchcapable of detecting the presence of backing 10 which is adhered to theself adhesive bandage 11 or detecting material embedded in said backing.

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the peel away backing forthe self adhesive bandage. In the preferred embodiment the backingmaterial 10 is made from a coated paper material as found in standardself adhesive bandages or a material of similar physical properties. Thebacking may include embedded triggering material 12. This triggeringmaterial may be metallic for activating a capacitive or contact switch,it may be magnetic for activating a reed switch, or it may be some othermaterial capable of activating the sensor or switch 13 in the bandage.If a photonic sensor or limit switch is used to activate the electroniccircuit 14 in the bandage then an embedded material 12 may not benecessary because the sensor or switch 13 would detect the backing 10directly.

OPERATION FIG. 1

FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the bandage and backingshown together but separated to show detail. The bandage 11 and backing10 would be adhered to each other while the complete bandage is in itspackage or wrapper. The sensor or switch 13 would be in close proximityto and facing the embedded material 12 in the backing while the backingis adhered to the self adhesive bandage. In one embodiment the sensor orswitch would be a normally closed switch so the proximity of thetriggering material or backing would render it open and the electroniccircuit 14 de energized. When the user of the bandage peels the backing10 away from the bandage 11 the sensor or switch 13 would close andenergize electronic circuit 14. This invention allows for a virtuallyunlimited shelf life for electronic bandages and instant activation atthe moment of use.

1. A self adhesive bandage with electronic circuitry comprising: a. Abandage containing the electronic circuitry and a circuitry activationsensor or switch. b. A peel away backing which may contain triggeringmaterial. Whereby the circuitry in the bandage is activated when thebacking is peeled from the bandage